Compact Pistol advice and Opinions Please

fencer

fencer

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I am in an interesting position. My wife and I will be attending a black tie affair in December. I will be required to wear a tux and the venue is a Boston hotel. I mentioned to my dearest that I may have to give some thought to how to best conceal my firearm.

Her reply was "You can't carry a cannon. You will have to buy a smaller gun"

Ummmm? O.K. [thinking]

So, in general, I have always been vehemently opposed to compact and subcompact pistols. I have never really liked the way they feel as I have big hands and have always hate pistol grips that my pinky finger hangs off of. But I'll be darned if I am going to pass up an opportunity to buy another gun.

So I did a forum seach and found a 6 year old thread but would like to ask the current crowd for advice.

I'd really like something in 9mm but may consider 380, nothing lighter.
I am not really concerned about weight but it should be highly concealable. If I keep it, this gun may become my "Sunday go to meeting gun"

I am not a Glock fan but may have to join the Dark Side if the 19 is the best option (Glock hater, especially the tigger)

I though about a compact 1911 but am worried about reliablity and the gun must be uber reliable.
Thinking about a Sig 239 - Kahr PM9 - Walther PPK (I do a great Sean Connery impression)

I would greatly appreciate your advice/ input and opinions
 
I have 2 carry gun's both are SIG'S and 239 in 9mm and a 238 (380) I have had no problems with these gun's at all. 25,000 plus rounds in the 239 and 5000 plus in the 238. SIG 238 great little gun to take to a party. (just came from one had it in my poket all day.)
 
I have kicked the same thoughts around as I am a 1911 fan, but there are times especially summer when it just doesn't work. Have you looked at the p238? I'm just not sure of the lack of beavertail safety.
I'm not trying to hijack...I'm interested in what you come up with.
 
stinger35 said:
I have kicked the same thoughts around as I am a 1911 fan, but there are times especially summer when it just doesn't work. Have you looked at the p238? I'm just not sure of the lack of beavertail safety.
I'm not trying to hijack...I'm interested in what you come up with.
Click to expand...

I have not looked at the 238 yet but maybe I should.

Thank you
 
Try as I might, and I have tried a lot, I can't find a better compact concealed carry gun in terms of caliber, capacity, realiability and concealability than the G26. My wife's S&W BG380 is a ton smaller, but now you're talking 380 vs. 9mm and 6 rounds vs. 10. The only gun I think I might want instead of the 26 is the Kahr PM9--but then you give up the nice striker fire for a heavy pull DA.
 
S&W J frame revolver, with .38 spl +p ammo, fires first time every time, hammerless airweights are easily concealable.
 
scatter said:
The only gun I think I might want instead of the 26 is the Kahr PM9--but then you give up the nice striker fire for a heavy pull DA.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by this... Have you fired a PM9?

Also surprised that nobody mentioned a J frame yet.

EDIT: Nevermind. Glockaholic beat me to the J Frame while I was typing....
 
Kahr PM9, but that might be too small for you.... Glock- G26, G19.... depending on what you can withstand. Get over the Glock hate.... because they literally stand alone in their class in terms of being concealable. Everything else that tries to compete with them is typically larger, and typically fatter to boot.

-Mike
 
The PM9 is considerably smaller than the Sig 239. I have both. The Sig is heavier and larger. It is more gun. The PM9 is thin and light a much smaller package. A P45 fall between the two and is very nice.
 
I have had my SR9C for almost two weeks now and love the way it shoots. Everyone that has shot it has said the same. Smooth and accurate and has shot every kind of ammo I have put through it.
 
fencer said:
Hadn't considered either. I will. Thanks. Is the KelTec Mass compliant?
Click to expand...

Neither of those guns are MA compliant, but who cares... it won't take you very long to find an LCP or a P3AT at a reasonable price.

-Mike
 
Glock 26. I carry mine in an ankle holster. If you will be wearing shoes Vs dressy boots that can pass for such, wear thicker socks and you'll be fine. I wear mine against bare skin with boots on.

The BG380 is a great gun, light and small. But, i lost my confidence in the .380 round after seeing it in action in a class.

The switch to the 26 was worth dealing with the added weight.
 
Last edited:
Glock 19s are fine guns, but rather thick to conceal with evening wear. A Kahr K9 is much thinner. A Pm9 is a different animal - it's a pocket gun.
 
LAIRD said:
I have 2 carry gun's both are SIG'S and 239 in 9mm and a 238 (380) I have had no problems with these gun's at all. 25,000 plus rounds in the 239 and 5000 plus in the 238. SIG 238 great little gun to take to a party. (just came from one had it in my poket all day.)
Click to expand...

I second this on all points.

Since I generally have no use for "mouse guns," it is hard to explain why I have so many of them. On rare -- very rare -- occasion I've actually carried one, usually for the same reason offered by the OP.

So I went and acquired a P238 on a lark. Now about 500 rounds later is has functioned flawlessly. It has a real trigger and real sights, which means you can really hit something. The slide doesn't strain one's wrist to cycle it, and the pistol doesn't bite the hand that shoots it.
 
fencer said:
Her reply was "You can't carry a cannon. You will have to buy a smaller gun"
Click to expand...

Shes a keeper [laugh]

Ive heard mixed reviews on the walther pps, its both in 9mm and .40. A j-frame is another option. The Berretta nano looks interesting, havnt had a chance to check out any reviews on it yet, limited to six rounds of 9mm so there is that tradeoff. Im currently pocket carrying the bodyguard 380 and im happy with it, shoots well and it has the laser built in if your into that.
 
S&W 3913 (9MM 8 round single stack)? It is a bit heavy, but is a good carry gun. It is probably a little heavy for an ankle holster (I haven't tried it), but works well IWB and presumably a shoulder holster as well.
 
I second, or third, the J-Frame. My 351 PD weighs 10.6 onces.
Also, why are you worried about 1911 reliability? My Colt is probably my most trusted side arm.
 
I have 2 that are on the compact side S&W M&P9c conceals well very comfortable. A Colt Mustang .380 - 7+1. Light reliable this disappears for carry.

The Smith with with finger extension should fit bigger hands. The colt is on the smaller side.

Thousands of rounds through both.
 

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